DOUBLE-BLIND CROSS-OVER TRIAL WITH DEPRENYL IN AMYOTROPHIC-LATERAL-SCLEROSIS

In this paper we present results from a double blind cross over trial with deprenyl, a selective and irreversible monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B ) inhibitor, in 10 patients suffering from amyotrophic lateral scleros is. The patients were randomised in such a way that half of the patien ts started with the active drug and half with the placebo treatment. E ach patient was given 10 mg deprenyl (eldepryl, 10 mg tablets) per day for 12 weeks and then placebo for the same length of time. There was a drug free period of 12 weeks between the courses. The neurological s tatus of the patients were evaluated every six weeks by using Norris, spinal and bulbar scores and it was observed that all cases deteriorat ed in their clinical status during the 36 weeks of the controlled stud y. MAO-B activity in blood platelets was completely inhibited during t reatment with deprenyl. In the preliminary analysis performed so far, no obvious retardation in the progress of the disease could be observe d with deprenyl treatment.